The launch of the iPhone 4S commercial bare machine is like a premeditated "prank". In the early days, the "scalpers" accurately found business opportunities and worked hard to stay up in line, almost creating a storm. As a result, Apple's direct stores could only suspend retail. Subsequently, distributors, including home appliance stores, had sufficient supplies, but their prices were raised by 300 to 800 yuan. A few days ago, there was news on the Internet that Unicom would sell iPhone 4S bare phones. If this statement is true, the distributor's financial path will be blocked immediately. To this end, the reporter specially visited Unicom's major business offices and related sales channels to seek the truth.
Selling at a low price, is there such a thing?
In order to confirm that China Unicom "sold bare machines", the author came to the Shuangjing store in the business hall of China Unicom. The staff of the store said that they did not know about the "bare machine", did not receive the above documents for the time being, and did not know about the sale at the price of Apple's official website. It is understood that the iPhone 4S contract machines in this store have already been sold out, and it is uncertain when the next batch of goods will arrive. The staff also told the author that the distribution of mobile phones in each store may be different, but the "sale of bare phones" is probably a rumor.
However, in the store of China Unicom in Guangqumen, the author still "got nothing". According to the staff of the store, there is sufficient supply of iPhone 4S contract machines in the store at present, but according to the previous sales experience, it may be sold out in two or three days. When asked about the issue of "selling bare machines", the staff member also said that he had not received documents, and only sold contract machines under "normal circumstances". When the author turned to leave, the staff member came up to the author and said, "If you really want to leave a phone, I can help you find it." But the price is not the standard specified by Apple's official website. For example, the lowest price of the iPhone 4S (16G) is more than 5300 yuan.
That's true, but not at this price
When I walked into the Suning store, I finally found the shadow of the iPhone 4S bare machine. In front of the Unicom counter in the store, the staff generously admitted that they did receive documents, selling both contract machines and bare machines, but this was just a "gimmick". He said that selling naked computers is too troublesome, and it may lead to scalpers. The author also learned that although the store advertised "selling bare machines", it did not keep any inventory at all. On the premise of guaranteeing the supply of contract machines, the remaining bare machine shares were distributed to agents in bulk. Therefore, "bare machine" is a "front", and selling contract machines is the main business. Moreover, even if they are lucky enough to have them in stock, the price of bare metal phones is the same as that of contract phones. The price of iPhone 4S (16G) is also as high as 5880 yuan. As a result, whether to buy a contract machine or a bare machine becomes a "single choice question".
The author also found that at present, only major agents operate the bare metal business, but the price version is different, which is hundreds of yuan higher than the official price of Apple. Most of these agents' supply comes from Unicom's "secondary distribution", that is, Unicom first buys a large number of iPhone 4S from Apple, and then sells them in batches to these distributors. This is also one of the reasons why the price of domestic 4S bare metal is far higher than the official price at present: the cost will naturally be higher if the number of intermediate links increases.
Want to buy a bare machine? Bare machine is not "bare"
At the initial stage of 4S launch, "scalpers" took the lead in triggering "rush buying"; Now it has become another situation: the supply of bare machines is sufficient, but no one is interested in them. Through interviews, the author found that there are two main reasons. One is that the current price of bare metal is too high, and the other is that the current dealers play a "tie sale". To buy an iPhone 4S bare metal, they must add hundreds of yuan to buy related accessories.
In Gome, there are plenty of iPhone 4S (16G) bare machines in stock, and the price is 4998 yuan, which is in line with Apple's official price. However, consumers had to spend more than 600 yuan to buy related accessories, so the total price of a set of bare machines suddenly rose to 5599 yuan. The author took a brief look at the accessories, including the phone case, Bluetooth headset and charger. The price of 32G is 5399 yuan, but it must also be matched with the 800 yuan accessory package, with a total price of 6199 yuan. Large and medium-sized enterprises also adopt "bundling sales". The price of iPhone 4S (16G) is 5700 yuan, which also includes a full set of accessories, and only black. 32G and 64G versions are out of stock.
Later, the author visited two mobile phone chain stores, Zhongfu and Dixintong (Weibo). Relatively speaking, Zhongfu Telecom's bare metal prices are relatively solid, and the supply of goods is also very sufficient. The list price of iPhone 4S (16G) is 5475 yuan. On this basis, the phone case and the original film will be added. The price of Dixintong is also relatively affordable, which is 5480 yuan. Relevant staff said that on this basis, they can also give free gifts worth 100 yuan. On the whole, the final prices of the two countries were basically the same.
No matter whether Unicom will launch the "bare metal sales" plan, consumers still have multiple choices, because the contract machine does have its benefits. In addition, the telecom iPhone 4S contract plan also began to attack strongly, and consumers will have more and more choices. According to the survey statistics, 94.8% of the respondents said that they would not buy bare machines at high prices from licensors. Therefore, after encountering a "cold reception", the contract machine may usher in another "spring" of its own. Intern Wang Fang/Wen
Morning Post Writer Shi Chunyang/Photographer
Latest news
From around 10 a.m. the previous day, Apple's official website reopened the sales of all versions of iPhone 4S. Each person is limited to two and will ship them within a month. As of yesterday's press release, sales on the official website were still continuing. Compared with the previous "lottery purchase" launched in Hong Kong, Apple's online sales of iPhone 4S in the mainland are much more powerful. It seems that Apple has finally begun to attach importance to the Chinese market in today's global general shortage.
